Deputy CM approves conceptual plan of 'New Chandigarh'

Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday approved the comprehensive conceptual plan of “New Chandigarh” in the Mullanpur area prepared by Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).

Presiding over a high-level meeting, Sukhbir said he was planning to make “New Chandigarh” one of the best planned cities with ultra-modern infrastructure to enable it to face the challenges of 21st century, making it an economic hub of South East Asia.

The deputy CM said 'New Chandigarh' planned in an area of over 15,200 acres in the foothills of Shivaliks would have Eco City, Medicity, Education City and other mega projects that would propel the development of the state to the next orbit.

Asking GMADA to expedite the acquisition of land for Education City, Eco City and Medicity, Sukhbir said road and allied infrastructure for these projects have to be completed by December 2013.

Giving details about Education City, the deputy CM said reputed international universities and institutes in the area of hospital administration, management courses, computer science and engineering branches, biotechnology, multimedia, pharmaceuticals, tourism and hospitality, industrial design, media and mass communication were evincing great interest to set up their institutes in the proposed education city.

On one hand, Sukhbir asked GMADA to expedite completion of 200 feet Mullanpur road from UT boundary to T-junction on the Siswan road, on the other hand, he asked the public works department (PWD) to begin the process for declaring it a national highway.

He informed that this road would be completed by March 31, 2014, and its two service lanes would be completed by May 2014.